Sarah Murnaghan Had Second Lung Transplant Operation

10-year-old Sarah Murnaghan had a second lung transplant following her initial surgery at a Philadelphia hospital.

Sarah Murnaghan (WPVI TV)

Her family in a statement reveals that the first lungs failed and that a second set were found and placed in her chest on June 15 according to WPVI TV.

The family says that there was a possibility that Murnaghan could have died waiting for the second set, which were infected with pneumonia. But the family had no choice and termed the second operation a "true success."

"It was only then that we could allow ourselves to feel real hope and begin posting some information on Facebook about Sarah's progress," said her mother's statement.

Sarah became eligible for the lung after a federal judge agreed to suspend a rule that stopped her from getting an adult lung. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said she didn’t want to intervene in transplant decisions when other children are just as sick.

U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson said he granted the temporary request because of the severity of Murnaghan’s condition.